Patents Examined by Zixuan Zhou
  • Patent number: 11682868
    Abstract: A connector with overvoltage protection, and methods of use, for charging an electric aircraft. The connector includes a housing, at least a current conductor, a protection circuit, at least a sensor and a controller. The housing is configured to mate with an electric aircraft port of the electric aircraft. The at least a current conductor is configured to conduct a current. The protection circuit is configured to control transmission of electrical power through the connector. The at least a sensor is configured to detect an output voltage of the connector. The controller is communicatively connected to the at least a sensor. The controller is configured to determine an overvoltage output as a function of the output voltage, and activate the protection circuit based on detection of the overvoltage output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11677248
    Abstract: An electronic device selectively coupled to a first charger and/or a second charger includes a power supply interface, a first comparator, a second comparator, a controller, a first switch circuit, and a second switch circuit. The power supply interface receives a first input voltage and a second input voltage. The first comparator compares the first input voltage with a first reference voltage, so as to generate a first comparison voltage. The second comparator compares the second input voltage with a second reference voltage, so as to generate a second comparison voltage. The controller generates a first control voltage and a second control voltage according to the first comparison voltage and the second comparison voltage. The first switch circuit is selectively enabled or disabled according to the first control voltage. The second switch circuit is selectively enabled or disabled according to the second control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chih Kuo, Ming-Chieh Lee
  • Patent number: 11664673
    Abstract: For indicating that a battery is fully discharged to a decommissioned state, methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed. One apparatus includes a battery that powers an electronic device, a battery state module that comprises a non-reversible indicator, a control module coupled to the battery, and a decommission module. The decommission module receives a discharge signal from the control module and discharges the battery to a fully discharged state, where discharging the battery causes the non-reversible indicator to indicate the fully discharged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Philip Jakes, Jeremy R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 11655024
    Abstract: A system includes a power optimized energy source, an energy storage optimized source, and a network that combines a first current from the power optimized energy source and a second current from the energy storage optimized source in order to power a load at least during a high power demand event, including by connecting the power optimized energy source and the energy storage optimized source using a parallel connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Xu Yan, BinBin Chi, Evan E. Frank, Aaron Schultz
  • Patent number: 11654772
    Abstract: An assembly includes a movable door assembly and a heating element. The movable door assembly is configured to be disposed on an exterior of a vehicle. The heating element is coupled to the movable door assembly, and is configured to receive energy from a battery disposed on the vehicle and to heat at least a portion of the movable door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Paul Merryweather, Christopher Thomas Schaafsma
  • Patent number: 11652373
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a wireless charging coil disposed inside the housing, a fan disposed inside the housing and in proximity to the coil, a temperature sensor disposed inside the housing and in proximity to the coil, a wireless charging circuit having the coil and configured to transmit power wirelessly to an external device via the coil, and a control circuit electrically connected to the fan, the temperature sensor, and the wireless charging circuit. The control circuit may be configured to receive a signal from the external device, receive data related to a temperature of the coil from the temperature sensor, and control the fan at least partially on the basis of at least one of the signal and the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kihyun Kim, Kyungha Koo, Wooram Lee, Changhyung Lee, Jihye Kim, Jihong Kim, Yunjeong Noh, Seho Park, Kumjong Sun, Ju-Hyang Lee, Mincheol Ha, Sangmoo Hwangbo
  • Patent number: 11648846
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method and/or system for charging one or more electric vehicles (e.g., based on one or more reserved charging sessions; for charging an electric vehicle during a scheduled time period; etc.) can include: receiving a reservation request (e.g., a reservation request including one or more reservation parameters; etc.); scheduling a reserved charging session based on the reservation request (e.g., based on reservation parameters from the reservation request; etc.); determining a check in at an Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) for the reserved charging session; and/or causing the EVSE to charge the electric vehicle based on the reserved charging session (e.g., during the scheduled time period; etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: NAD Grid Corp
    Inventors: Thomas Shaofeng Sun, Timotej Gavrilovic, Thai Vinh Loc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11646586
    Abstract: A hybrid power backup system having at least one battery for powering at least one external load; at least one capacitor for powering a controller configured to control power provided from the battery to the at least one external load and to control discharge/charge cycles of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: 2449049 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Marc James Gagne, Andrew Clark Baird Aubert
  • Patent number: 11642981
    Abstract: Controlling a charging current while transferring energy from a source battery to a target battery in an electric vehicle (EV) includes operating, by control circuitry, a buck converter at a fixed switching frequency to transfer power from the source battery to the target battery, in a first operational mode; in response to detecting a first trigger event, transitioning from the first operational mode to a second operational mode to operate the buck converter at a variable switching frequency; and in response to detecting a second trigger event, transitioning to a third operational mode to activate a boost converter coupled to the source battery and the target battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: FREEWIRE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Rogers, Nathan Biesterfeld, Nikola Milivojevic
  • Patent number: 11641117
    Abstract: An electronic device included a first energy storage device coupled to a second energy storage device by a conductor. A charging node is coupled to the first energy storage device. Another conductor couples the charging node to the second energy storage device. A switch is electrically coupled between the conductor and the second energy storage device. A control circuit opens the switch, thereby allowing a first charging current to flow from the charging node to the first energy storage device through the conductor and a second charging current to flow from the charging node to the second energy storage device through the other conductor and closes the switch when a difference between a voltage of the first energy storage device and a voltage of the second energy storage device is within a predefined voltage difference threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventor: Mark Carlson
  • Patent number: 11628742
    Abstract: A method and to a device for charging a battery for a means of transport. The method comprises the steps of: ascertaining an open-circuit voltage of the battery (30) on the basis of a voltage ramp that is generated by a controllable DC-to-DC converter (40) that is electrically connected to the battery (30), ascertaining a differential internal resistance of the battery (30) on the basis of a predefined model for the differential internal resistance of the battery (30) and the open-circuit voltage, ascertaining a target value for an output voltage of the DC-to-DC converter (40) on the basis of the open-circuit voltage of the battery (30), a predefined charging current of the battery (30) and the differential internal resistance of the battery (30), and charging the battery (30) using the target value for the output voltage in the DC-to-DC converter (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Fritz Kaderabek
  • Patent number: 11626747
    Abstract: Provided are a battery quick charging method, a charging apparatus, and a device to-be-charged. The battery quick charging method includes the following. State parameters of a battery of a device to-be-charged are acquired, where the state parameters of the battery include a present temperature of the battery. A charging cut-off voltage corresponding to the present temperature is selected from a target parameter mapping relationship, where the charging cut-off voltage is higher than a rated voltage of the battery. Constant-current charging is performed on the battery until a voltage of the battery reaches the charging cut-off voltage and then performing of the constant-current charging on the battery is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Chen Tian
  • Patent number: 11616259
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system comprising: a rechargeable energy storage battery system comprising a monitoring module and an Internet of Things (IoT) based control module; a blockchain network; a processor; and a tangible non-transitory memory; wherein system is operable to receiving periodically by a smart battery management platform, battery related information and one or more environment factors; extracting, processing and analyzing, the battery related information to retrieve a real-time feature of the rechargeable energy storage battery system and the one or more environment factors affecting the battery life and the battery performance by a smart battery management platform; predicting in real-time battery health and life status by the smart battery management platform; rendering using immersive technology, real-time simulated display of situational awareness by a battery management platform; and sending a control signal to the IoT based control module of the rechargeable energy storage batte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KNOETIK SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kyra Dhawan, Kian Dhawan
  • Patent number: 11611246
    Abstract: A method for measuring a position, is performed by a vehicle assembly (VA) for alignment between a ground assembly (GA) and the VA. The method includes transmitting low frequency (LF) signals to initiate alignment with the GA and estimating a position of a vehicle using at least one sensor mounted on the vehicle. Information regarding the estimated position of the vehicle is provided to the GA and information regarding a position of the vehicle measured by LF receive antennas of the GA and an acceleration flag calculated by the GA is received. Accordingly, a transmission strength of the LF signals transmitted by the VA is adjusted based on the information regarding the position of the vehicle measured by the LF receive antennas and the acceleration flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Yong Seong, Chang Woo Ha, Ki Won Ko, Bong Ju Kim
  • Patent number: 11605956
    Abstract: A remote controlled battery cell monitoring and control system that utilizes empirical and theoretical data to compare performance, sensor data, stored patterns, historical usage, use intensity indexes over time and tracking information to provide a sophisticated data collection system for batteries. This tracking is designed to better the specifications, designs, training, preventative maintenance, and replacement and recycling of batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Global Battery Solutions LLC
    Inventors: David W Baarman, Henry W. Sybesma, Jennifer S. Sierra, Cathy L. Wiler, Ellington L. Ellis, Kristine A. Hunter, Lynne A. Sybesma
  • Patent number: 11605954
    Abstract: An example direct current fast charger (DCFC) for providing asymmetrical charging power to electric vehicles can include a first power module having a rectifier and control electronics, and a second power module having a rectifier and control electronics. The first power module can be configured to receive a request to charge a battery of an electric vehicle (EV) at a specified charge rate; determine that the specified charge rate exceeds a maximum charge rate of the first power module; request additional power from the second power module; when the second power module has available power to donate, receive donated power from the second power module; and charge the battery of the EV at an increased charge rate that exceeds the maximum charge rate of the first power module, the increased charge rate including a maximum power output of the first power module increased by the donated power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC.
    Inventors: Adam Mandel-Senft, Sue-Ling Huynh, John Deniston, Danny Curzon
  • Patent number: 11602994
    Abstract: A robot for charging a vehicle is provided. The robot has wheels or configured for a track for the robot to automatically move to the vehicle to provide charge to a battery of the vehicle. A charge storage is associated with the robot. An articulating arm of the robot. The articulating arm is configured for movement that enables the articulating arm to automatically connect to a connector of the vehicle after the robot moves in position beside the vehicle for providing charge to the battery of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: Angel A. Penilla, Albert S. Penilla
  • Patent number: 11601008
    Abstract: A power supply device is mountable to a vehicle and includes: a high-voltage battery; a low-voltage battery of which an output voltage is lower than that of the high-voltage battery, and which can be charged by output power from the high-voltage battery; and a control unit configured to perform charging/discharging control for the high-voltage battery and the low-voltage battery. The control unit performs feeding control for causing the high-voltage battery to supply power to a predetermined on-vehicle device while consumed power is higher than a predetermined value in a state in which a main switch of the vehicle is not on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noritake Mitsutani, Yasuhiro Taoka
  • Patent number: 11590859
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for controlling a relay using a flip-flop, in which a flip-flop controlling a relay by receiving a signal of a control unit in a battery management system of a vehicle and supply flip-flop operation power to the flip-flop through a monitoring circuit connected to a battery of the vehicle when operation power of the battery management system of the vehicle is interrupted to maintain a closing state of a relay controlling driving power of the vehicle and to conserve power of the vehicle for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Junpil Cheon, Sang Rae Lee
  • Patent number: 11588216
    Abstract: One or more external connectors of a conformal wearable battery (CWB) may be controlled to reduce a voltage potential supplied to the connectors when exposed to a conductive liquid. The connectors may be uniform serial bus (USB) connectors or other connectors. One or more unused terminals of the one or more connectors may be pulled to a voltage potential and then monitored for a change in voltage. When the change in voltage satisfies a voltage threshold, the voltage potential supplied to the one or more connectors may be reduced and/or interrupted. The change in voltage may be evaluated against the voltage threshold alone or may be evaluated against the voltage threshold and a time threshold relating to a time after the voltage satisfied the voltage threshold. Based on the voltage threshold having been met, the voltage supplied to the connector may be reduced or stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Inventus Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. VanCamp, John Seo, King Moy, Christopher M. Reinke